Disclaimer: I own nothing about these people's lives, the fact that The Sound of Music is already a mostly fiction based tale makes it so I do not feel bad about doing this. I do not own, nor wish to own The Sound of Music rights, even though the music is quite enjoyable.

Interpretation: Partially script based, movie based, director conversation based, with a little bit of research thrown in.

"Tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through" – I'll Stand By You

Friedrich (age 14)

Friedrich was terrified. As he stood by his father's side, they watched mother get lowered the ground. Their father hadn't even glanced at him. Before he knew it father had left, he had left all of them without saying even goodbye. As the eldest son he felt that he had to take responsibility with their father gone. But he was at a loss at what to do. He hadn't slept well in ages, worrying about what it took to be a man. He had no one to turn to and he had only ever asked his father or Liesl for help. So one day, when the stress got too much for him, he sought her out. He found her in the library with Brigitta.

"Liesl? Can I talk to you?" He asked looking down.

"Sure," she said getting up. "I'll be back in a minute," so told the four year old.

"Friedrich will you be ok?" Brigetta asked, she had always been too observant. Upon receiving no answer she asked "Liesl?" Liesl said something to her that Friedrich didn't hear, but whatever it was caused Brigetta to relax and begin reading the book they had been working on. Liesl turned and followed Friedrich out.

"I, I don't know what to do," Friedrich told Liesl when they were alone. "I'm not father, I can't be him."

"I'm sorry." She apologized, why was she apologizing? "I've been ignoring you. I didn't realize the burden you were carrying." She hugged him. "You don't need to be father, you don't need to be anyone but yourself."

"But…" he was crying already.

"Shh, don't worry about it. Just do your best. You don't have to live in father's shadow."

"But I'm letting you all down."

"No, no you're not. You could never let me down Friedrich. Friedrich, look at me." He looked up. "I love you, Gretl loves you. We all do. So don't worry."

For the first time since their mother had gotten ill, Friedrich felt like he could breathe again. He didn't have to be a man, not yet. But when the day came, he would not back down. He would be ready.